Lions Club installs first woman president

by Diane Dubiel
Grand Island Dispatch, June 22, 2007

Recently installed Lions Club Officers, from left, are: Treasurer Al Ackerman, Membership Chair Tom Rusert, Director Anne Fahning, First Vice President Diane Dubiel, Director Jerry Dubiel, Immediate Past President Norm Hahn, President Shelia Ferrentino, Corresponding Secretary Kathie Norris, Recording Secretary Dave Chervinsky, Lion Tamer Donna Lavallee, Second Vice President Mike Steinagel and Director Dick Crawford. Missing from the picture are Third Vice President Henry Lobl, Tail Twister Fred Ruocco and Director John MacNeil. (photos by William Worthy)

Shelia Ferrentino became the first woman president of the Grand Island Lions Club when the Grand Island Lions conducted its 51st installation of officers on June 13 at the Buffalo Launch Club.

Her plans for the coming year include growth of the club and increasing awareness of “Lionism” within the community, to better serve those in need.

Ferrentino joined the Lions Club in 2001 to be a part of and give back to the Grand Island community. She has served as chairperson of the Telephone/Sunshine Committee and helped with the Special Children’s Picnic and fund-raisers such as the Spaghetti Dinner, White Cane Sale and Bon-Ton Community Days.

Ferrentino says her involvement with the Lions has helped her gain a better understanding of the Club’s motto, “We serve.”

In addition, the following Lions were installed as officers by Past International Director John Rabideau:

First Vice President: Diane Dubiel; Second Vice President: Mike Steinagel; Third Vice President: Henry Lobl; Treasurer: Al Ackerman; Corresponding Secretary: Kathie Norris; Recording Secretary: Dave Chervinsky; Tail Twister: Fred Ruocco; Lion Tamer: Donna Lavallee; Directors, two years: Jerry Dubiel and John MacNeil; Directors, one year: Dick Crawford and Anne Fahning; Membership Chairman: Tom Rusert; Immediate Past President: Norm Hahn.

Two members of the Grand Island Lions Club were recognized for their continuing commitment to community service. Dick Crawford received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for providing outstanding humanitarian service to the visually impaired, youth and those in need. Diane Dubiel was honored with the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award for giving outstanding community service, as well as being active in several District 20-N events.

In addition, two Lions were recognized for their continuing commitment to community service. Lion Paul Bassette presented these awards:

•Lion Dick Crawford received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. This is the highest honor conferred by the Lions Club International Foundation, for providing outstanding humanitarian service to the visually impaired, youth and those in need.

•Lion Diane Dubiel was honored with the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award. This is the highest award conferred by the New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation, for giving outstanding community service, as well as being active in several District 20-N events.

The Grand Island Lions Club was chartered in 1956. Its focus has always been helping the community, and its many projects and services tell the story. Perhaps their best-known project is the annual Special Children’s Picnic, scheduled for July 18 at the Buffalo Launch Club. More than 1,100 special children and their counselors are scheduled to attend. With the help of many volunteers, the Grand Island Lions provide a memorable day of fun, food and entertainment. It truly is the highlight of the children’s summer.

The Lions maintain a free loan closet, containing wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and other durable medical equipment for those in need. They donate funds to the Grand Island Memorial Library for large print books, collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids, as well as aluminum cans and other aluminum items for recycling. They award scholarships to high school seniors and involve middle school children in an annual Peace Poster Contest. Its theme revolves around peace and encourages participants to creatively express their concepts of peace around the world. A new project this year is MTI photo screening of pre-school age children to help detect early-onset vision problems. The Lions’ goal is to eventually include children of all ages in the community in this process.

The Grand Island Lions Club always has a “lion’s share of work to do.” In keeping with Ferrentino’s goal of club growth and increasing community awareness, she encourages new members to join. “More hands, more hearts to help others,” is the way she says it.